Behind the numbers:Ending school violence and bullying

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A new report ‘Behind the numbers: Ending school violence and bullying’ published this month by UNESCO found bulling is widespread problem no society in the world is immune from. The form and frequency, however, differ. According to the report almost one in three students has been bullied at least once a month. Around the same number of children has been involved in a physical fight last year, or was attacked. In Europe and North America psychological bulling prevails, while in other parts of the world physical and sexual bulling is more dominant. While the report notes the global trend of decreased physical violence by teachers, corporal punishment is still allowed in 68 countries. Gender plays important role as well – boys are more likely to experience physical, and girls psychological violence. What determines who is likely to be a victim in school? Report findings show physical appearance is the most relevant factor, before race, nationality or skin color. Children coming from poor background, migrant and refugee children or those perceived as LGBTQ tend to be more often victims of peer-to-peer abuse.

This report is significant because it provides most up-to-date data and trends on the global level. Authors analyzed current status of school violence and bulling and related trends, characteristics of effective national responses to this phenomenon and concluded with a set of practical recommendations about the next steps to address this issue.